Xôi Da Nang: A Local's Sticky-Rice Breakfast Guide

Xôi (pronounced "soy") is a warm, chewy portion of steamed sticky rice sold at morning street carts all over Da Nang. For less than a dollar, vendors scoop it into a banana leaf and pile it high with savory meats or sweet coconut. It is the ultimate local grab-and-go breakfast that keeps you full for hours.

By the Go Da Nang local team · Last updated June 2026

What exactly is xôi?

Xôi is made from gạo nếp, a glutinous rice soaked overnight and steamed until soft. This is a completely different grain from standard white rice. Vendors cook big batches before dawn, giving the rice a gentle, chewy texture that clumps together perfectly for eating on the move.

You will often see vibrant colors on the cart. Xôi gấc turns bright red-orange from gấc fruit, xôi lá dứa gets a green tint from pandan, and xôi đậu xanh is packed with soft mung beans. These colors come entirely from real ingredients steamed right into the pot.

Vendors sell it by the portion (phần). They scoop the warm rice onto a banana leaf or into a small foam box, add your chosen toppings, and wrap it up. You do not need a bowl or a table, which makes it the perfect quick breakfast.

Da Nang's everyday breakfast

Breakfast in Da Nang happens early. Locals stop at a neighborhood cart on their way to work, grab a warm box of xôi, and eat it at their desk or parked on their scooter. You will spot these carts setting up before sunrise on residential corners across the Hải Châu and Thanh Khê districts.

The dish splits into two main camps: xôi mặn (savory) and xôi ngọt (sweet). Here are the specific types you will find:

• Xôi gà: Sticky rice topped with shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, chicken fat, and scallion oil. This is the crowd favorite and a safe first choice.
• Xôi mặn / xôi thập cẩm: The loaded savory version. It comes stacked with chả (pork sausage), Chinese sausage (lạp xưởng), pâté, a fried or boiled egg, and pork floss (chà bông).
• Xôi cá: Sticky rice topped with cá cơm rim (small anchovies braised in a sweet and savory sauce). Vendors usually finish it with fried shallots and a drizzle of shallot oil. A good salty, savory pick if you like fish.
• Xôi chiên: A pressed sticky-rice cake fried until golden and crisp. It eats more like a snack than a full meal. You will often see it sold from the same carts in the late afternoon.
• Xôi ngọt: The sweet side. Expect toppings like mung bean (xôi xéo / xôi đậu xanh), peanut (xôi đậu phộng), or fresh grated coconut with a little sugar.
• Xôi gấc / xôi vò: Two varieties you will spot at markets and parties. Xôi gấc is the festive red sticky rice. Xôi vò is tossed with mashed mung bean so each grain stays separate and dry. Both lean mildly sweet.

A standard portion is about 150 to 200 grams of rice. It fits in one hand but packs enough weight to keep you full until lunch. If you wake up extra hungry, just ask for a bigger scoop or extra toppings. The price barely changes.

Savory or sweet: where to start

Start with xôi gà or a simple xôi mặn for your first time. Savory xôi feels like a proper breakfast with warm rice, protein, and crispy fried shallots. Most locals prefer this version on a workday, and it goes down easily if you normally avoid sweet morning meals.

Treat the sweet types as a mid-morning snack. A small box of xôi đậu xanh or fresh coconut xôi pairs perfectly with an iced Vietnamese coffee. Many carts sell both varieties from the same table. You can easily buy one of each for under a dollar and find your favorite.

Is it easy for visitors to eat?

Yes. Xôi is highly approachable. The flavor profile is mild and comforting, completely skipping the strong fermented notes found in some regional dishes. The only real surprise is the texture. The rice is dense and chewy. It feels completely different from a standard bowl of loose steamed rice.

If you are sensitive to spice, say "ít cay" (less spicy) to skip the chili oil. Savory portions often come with a small drizzle of chili that is easy to leave off. Vegetarians should stick to the sweet mung bean, peanut, or coconut options, since the savory carts rely heavily on pork and chicken.

Plain xôi is naturally gluten-free. However, shared utensils and toppings like pâté or soy sauce mean cross-contamination happens. If you have a peanut allergy, avoid xôi đậu phộng and tell the vendor "không đậu phộng" (no peanuts). Keep an eye out for stray peanut crumbs on the other sweet options.

How much does it cost?

A portion of xôi costs around 10,000 to 30,000 VND (roughly $0.40 to $1.20), as of June 2026. Plain and sweet portions sit at the low end of that scale. A fully loaded xôi thập cẩm with sausage, egg, and pâté hits the top price. Always bring small bills. Street carts do not take cards.

When to buy xôi

Locals treat xôi as a morning meal. Most carts open early and operate from roughly 6:00am to 9:00am. The most popular vendors pack up as soon as the commuter rush ends. A handful of shops open in the evening, but morning guarantees the freshest rice and the best topping selection. Arrive early if you want to visit a specific cart.

How to order

Ordering is straightforward. The toppings sit in plain view, making pointing highly effective. If you want to use a little Vietnamese, try these phrases:

• "Cho tôi một phần xôi gà" (One portion of chicken sticky rice, please)
• "Xôi mặn" (The loaded savory version)
• "Ít cay" (Less spicy)
• "Mang đi" (Takeaway)

The vendor will pack your food in a foam box or a folded banana leaf. You can point to request add-ons like extra chả (sausage), an egg, or more chicken. Most carts provide a tiny plastic spoon, though plenty of locals eat directly from the leaf.

Tell the vendor if you want to "ăn ở đây" (eat here) or "mang đi" (takeaway) so they prep it correctly. Pay with small notes. Handing a 500,000 VND bill to a vendor selling a 20,000 VND breakfast causes headaches for everyone. If you see an unfamiliar topping, point and ask "cái này là gì?" (what is this?). Vendors are used to curious visitors and will gladly explain.

More local breakfast ideas

Xôi is just one piece of the city's massive food scene. To build out your eating itinerary, read our local's honest guide to what to eat in Da Nang. You can also check out our bún chả cá fish-cake noodle soup guide for another classic breakfast, or try DIY pork rolls (bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo) for a hands-on lunch.

Where to eat xôi in Da Nang

These sticky rice spots sit primarily in the central Hải Châu district. Since these are small street carts and modest shops, always double-check their hours and locations before you head out.

Xôi Bà Bé

A roadside institution going back 30-odd years, best known for its xôi gà. It is a simple sidewalk stand, so look for the crowd rather than a storefront, and get there early before it sells out.

• Best for: A famous, long-running xôi gà
• Price: 25,000–30,000đ ($1–1.20)
• Hours: Roughly 6:00–10:00am; closed Sundays; sells out early
• Address: Sidewalk on Ngô Gia Tự (opposite No. 27, by the old Chi Lăng Stadium), Hải Châu
• Map: Open in Google Maps

Xôi Dì Hòa

A tiny, busy local spot opposite Trần Phú High School, serving everyday savory portions wrapped in banana leaf with chà bông, hành phi, đậu xanh, chả, and thịt kho.

• Best for: A simple morning box near the center
• Price: 10,000–26,000đ ($0.40–1.05)
• Hours: Roughly 6:30am–12:30pm
• Address: 26 Lê Thánh Tôn, Hải Châu
• Map: Open in Google Maps

Xôi gà Bà Hoa

A chicken-focused spot. Go here if you specifically want xôi gà (shredded chicken with fried shallots).

• Best for: Xôi gà, the crowd favorite
• Price: 10,000–20,000đ ($0.40–0.80)
• Hours: Roughly 7:00am–7:00pm; busiest in the morning
• Address: 37A Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Thạch Thang, Hải Châu
• Map: Open in Google Maps

Xôi Lá Việt

A tidier shop with both savory and sweet portions, known for its banana-leaf packaging and rice cooked with a little cassava for extra softness. Choose this if you prefer sitting down over eating from a cart.

• Best for: A sit-down meal instead of a curbside cart
• Price: From 15,000đ ($0.60)
• Hours: Roughly 6:00am–9:30pm daily
• Address: 452 Trưng Nữ Vương, Hòa Thuận Đông, Hải Châu
• Map: Open in Google Maps

Quán Xôi Thịnh

A shop running since 2008 (sometimes signed "Quán Thịnh – Xôi & Cháo"), serving loaded savory thập cẩm portions, often with a little chicken-bone broth on the side. Great for when you wake up very hungry.

• Best for: A loaded xôi thập cẩm
• Price: 10,000–40,000đ ($0.40–1.60)
• Hours: Roughly 6:00am–noon
• Address: 122 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Nam Dương, Hải Châu
• Map: Open in Google Maps

Grabbing a box of xôi is the easiest way to join the local morning routine. Start with a warm portion of xôi gà, ask for "ít cay" to keep the spice down, and show up early before the neighborhood carts sell out. Eat it while it is hot, and when you are ready for your next meal, head over to our what-to-eat-in-Da-Nang guide to see what else the city has cooking.